System for loading liquid into a container or the like

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a system whereby liquid is supplied to a container from a supply line only when a vapor seal is formed between the supply line and the container. Flow of liquid is automatically stopped when the liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined level, when the pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined value, or when the vapor seal is broken. Vapor is removed from the container during filling thereof. When filling ceases or the supply line is no longer vapor sealed to the container, the vapor removal line is automatically blocked to prevent escape of vapors into the atmosphere. SP This is a division of application Ser. No. 77,361 filed Oct. 1, 1970, which is now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,453.

Unite States Patent Madden et al.

[ Dec. 16, 1975 SYSTEM FOR LOADING LIQUID INTO A CONTAINER OR THE LIKEInventors: Michael J. Madden, West Covina, Calif.; Robert L. Murray,Dayton,

Ky.; Stephen C. Lemon; Paul R. Ostand, both of Cincinnati, OhioAssignee: Dover Corporation, New York, NY.

Filed: Mar. 15, 1973 Appl. No.: 341,381

Related U.S. Application Data Division of Ser. No. 77,361, Oct. 1, 1970,Pat. No. 3,753,453.

U.S. Cl. 141/192; 137/615; 141/59; l4l/387 Int. Cl. B65B 3/18; B67C 3/34Field of Search 137/615; 141/39, 46, 52, 141/59, 95, 192229, 285-310,346-352,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1957 Switzer 141/387 X3.357.461 12/1967 Friendship 141/198 X 3,443,608 5/1969 Copping et al.141/198 X 3.605.824 9/1971 Madden et al 141/192 X PrimaryExaminerRichard E. Aegerter Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. Schmidt [57]ABSTRACT This disclosure relates to a system whereby liquid is suppliedto a container from a supply line only when a vapor seal is formedbetween the supply line and the container. Flow of liquid isautomatically stopped when the liquid in the tank reaches apredetermined level, when the pressure in the tank exceeds apredetermined value, or when the vapor seal is broken. Vapor is removedfrom the container during filling thereof. When filling ceases or thesupply line is no longer vapor sealed to the container, the vaporremoval line is automatically blocked to prevent escape of vapors intotheatmosphere.

3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent FIG. 2

N on un F'lilliilllli Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 1 of 3 FIG. 3

M15 lll-llll m I as 119 44 45 667 A 42 Eh=%gigihiii' Qua:

FIG. 1

U.S. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 2 of3 3,926,231

FIG. 4

FIG. 6

US. Patent Dec. 16, 1975 Sheet 3 of 3 3,926,231

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SYSTEM FOR LOADING LIQUID INTO A CONTAINER OR THE LIKE This is adivision of application Ser. No. 77,361 filed Oct. 1, 1970, which is nowissued as US. Pat. No. 3,753,453.

When filling a container such as a truck tank, for example, withgasoline from a storage tank, vapors from the gasoline will pollute theair. Additionally, the escape of the vapors from the truck tank resultsin loss of some of the gasoline.

The present invention satisfactorily solves the foregoing problems byproviding a system in which no vapor from the gasoline supplied to thetruck tank can escape into the atmosphere. Thus, there will be nopollution of the atmosphere from the gasoline when the system of thepresent invention is employed.

The present invention also receives the vapors from the gasoline beingsupplied to the tank. Thus, the vapor may be condensed to a liquid formto again be supplied to the tank. Accordingly, the present inventionprevents economic loss to the supplier of the gasoline that haspreviously escaped into the atmosphere as a vapor.

When loading a liquid such as gasoline, for example, from a main storagetank to a truck tank, for example. it is desirable that all of thegasoline supplied from the main storage tank be received in the trucktank. Other wise, if some of the gasoline should remain in the supplyline from the main storage tank after filling of the truck tank has beenstopped, this gasoline would flow from the supply line upondisconnection of the supply line from the truck tank and be lost.Additionally, the vapors resulting from evaporation of this gasolinewould pollute the air.

The present invention satisfactorily solves this problem by utilizing acontrol valve in the supply line to automatically stop the supply ofgasoline from the main storage tank before there is any disconnection ofthe supply line from the truck tank. Therefore, there will be no loss ofthe gasoline or any pollution of the atmosphere due to gasoline withinthe supply line not reaching the truck tank when the loading system ofthe present invention is utilized.

Additionally, before the supply of the gasoline from the storage tank tothe truck tank begins, it is necessary that there be a vapor sealbetween the supply line and the truck tank.

The present invention satisfactorily overcomes this problem by notallowing any gasoline to be, supplied past the valve in the supply lineuntil a vapor seal exists at the connection of the supply line to thetruck tank. The system of the present invention utilizes a unique fluidcontrol system to sense when the vapor seal is formed at the connection.

When filling a truck tank, the pressure within the tank must not beallowed to exceed a safe value. Otherwise, the possibility of tankrupture exists.

The present invention, satisfactorily solves this prob lem byautomatically stopping the flow of the gasoline to the truck tank whenthe pressure within the truck Another object of this invention is toprovide a liquid loading system in whichfiow to a tank cannot beginuntil a vapor seal existsbetween the tank and the supply line.

A further object of this invention is to-provide a liquid loadingsystemthatprevents the pressurelin a tank being filled from exceeding apredetermined pressu re.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a liquid loadingsystem. in which flow is automatically stopped when the level of theliquid within the tank being filled reaches a predetermined height.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upona reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to thedrawings forming part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the loading system of the presentinvention,

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the system of FIG. 1.

.FIG. 3 is an end view of the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the loading systemof FIG. 1. and taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 5.

tank exceeds a predetermined pressure. This is accom- FIG. 5 is a topplan view of thestructure of FIG. 4 and taken substantially along line55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the structureof FIG. 5 and taken substantially along line 6-'-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side .elvational view, partly in section, of another portionof the structure of FIG. 5 and taken substantially along line 77 of FIG.5.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a fluid control system used with theloading system of the present invention for regulating the supply ofliquid.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a mainstorage tank 10 for a liquid such as gasoline, for example. A pipe 11extends from the tank 10,

A boom 12 has its lower end pivotally connected by a swivel 14 to thepipe 11. The bottom 12 includes a pipe 15, which communicates with thepipe 11 so that the liquid, which may be pressurized, for example, mayflow from the pipe 11 into the pipe 15. It should be understood thatgravity flow may be employed if the storage tank 10 is appropiatelypositioned.

The pipe 15 communicates with a pipe 16 through swivels 17 and 18. Thus,the pipe 16 may pivot about a horizontal axis 19 (see FIG. 1) and avertical axis 20 (see FIG. 2). The pipe 16 has a valve 21 mountedtherein to control the flow of liquid from the storage tank 10. Thevalve 21 is continuously biased to its closed position by a spring orthe like. One suitable example of the valve 21 is a valve sold by OPWDivision of Dover Corporation as model 417-K.

The pipe 16 is connected through a swivel 22 to a pipe 23. which has itsflange 24 bolted to a flange 25 of a vapor recoveryassembly 26. Thevapor recovery assembly 26 is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis27 due to the swivel 22.

The vapor recovery assembly 26 has a pipe (see FIG. 4) secured to theflange 25 and extending downwardly for disposition within a tank orcontainer 29 that is to be filled with liquid from the'storage tank 10.Thus, the liquid is supplied through the pipes l1, l5, 16, 23, and 28 tothe tank 29. I

The vapor recovery assembly 26 has a second pipe 30 mountedeccentrieally with respect to'the pipe 28 and adapted to be disposedwithin the tank 29' when the pipe 28 is disposed therein. The pipe 30 isutilized to 3 remove the vapor from the tank 29.

When the vapor recovery assembly 26 is inserted within the tank 29, asealing collar 31, which is formed of a suitable resillient materialsuch as synthetic rubber, for example, and slidably mounted on the pipe30, is urged into engagement with a flange 32 on the vapor recoveryassembly 26. The flange 32 is fixedly secured to the pipes-28 and 30 bysuitable means such as welding, for example.

The collar 31 is moved into engagment with the flange 32 by the uppersurface of a manhole 33 of the container or tank 29 when the vaporrecovery assembly 26 is inserted therein. When the collar 31 is notengaged with the flange 32, it is held in spaced-relation:

40 extending between the check valve 37 and a cross.

piece 40', continuously urges the check valve 37 to block the passage tothe pipe 36.

Accordingly, vapor passes through the pipe 36- and past the check valve37-only when there is suffic'ie'nt pressure from the vapor to open thecheck valve 37. The force of the spring 39 is selected so that onlyabout one p.s.i. is required-to open the check valve 37.

The pipe 36 communicates at its upper end with a pipe 41 (see FIGS. 1and 2), The pipe 41 is connected through a swivel 42, a pipe 43, and atee 44 to a pipe 45, which is vertically spaced from the pipesubstantially parallel thereto. The pipe 45 communicates through a tee46, a flexible hose 47, and a swivel 48 with a pipe 49 of the beam 12.

The pipe 45 is maintained in spaced and substantially parallel relationto the pipe 16 by a'link 50, which is connected to a clamp 51 on thepipe 45 and a clamp 52 on the pipe 16. Thus, the pipes 45 and 16 areconnected to each other for movement together in spaced relation to eachother.

The pipe 49 of the boom 12 is mounted in spaced relation to the pipe oftheboom 12 by a support 53. The pipe 49 communicates with a pipe 54 ofthe boom 12. The pipe 54 has its lower end 55 supported on the pipe 15but blocked from communication 'with the pipe 15. The lower end 55 ofthe pipe 54 is sealed by being welded to the pipe 15. Thus, the vapor,which is flowing through the pipe 49, can only flow upwardly through thepipe 54.

The pipe 54 communicates at its upper end with a substantially verticalpipe 56, which has its lower end 57 supported on the pipe 15 of the boom12. The lower end 57 of the pipe 56 does not communicate with the pipe15. The lower end 57 of the pipe 56 is sealed by welding to the pipe 15.

It should be understood that a sealing member could be disposed in thepipe 56 adjacent the junction with the pipe 54 to prevent any vapor frompassing downwardly within the pipe 56. Likewise, the portion of the pipe54 beneath the pipe 49 also could have a sealing member thereon so thatvapor would not flow toward the closed lower end 55 of the pipe 54.

The pipe 56 is connected through a swivel 57' to a pipe 58, which maycommunicate with a condenser, for

4 example. The vapor is condensed to a liquid in the condenser andreturned to the storage tank 10.

The boom 12 includes the pipe 15, the pipe 49, the pipe 54, and the pipe56. Since the boom 12 is mounted at its lower end through the swivel l4and at its upper end through the swivel 57, the boom 12 may be rotatedabout the vertical axis of the pipe 56 to position the vapor recoveryassembly 26 adjacent to the manhole 33 of the tank 29.

A handle 58a is fixedly mounted on the flange 32 of the vapor recoveryassembly 26 to permit grasping of the apparatus of the present inventionto cause rotation thereof about the vertical axis of the pipe 56. Asecond handle 59 is secured to the vapor return pipe 43 to aid theoperator in moving the apparatus about the vertical axis of the pipe 56.Thus, by grasping the handles 58a and 59, the operator may position thevapor recovery assembly 26 adjacent the manhole 33 of the tank 29.

The vapor recovery assembly 26 is moved adjacent the manhole 33 of thetank 29 about the horizontal axis 19 under control of a fluid cylinder60. One end of the cylinder 60 is pivotally connected by a pin 61 to acontrol housing 62. The control housing 62 is fixed to a swivel body 63,which connects the swivels 17 and 18 to each other.

Thus, when the cylinder 60 has its piston rod 64, which is connected tothe clamp 52 of the pipe 16, retracted, the pipe 16 rotates clockwiseabout the horizontal axis 19. Because the pipe 45 is connected throughthe link 50 to the pipe 16 and the vapor recovery assembly 26 isconnected to both of the pipes 16 and 45, the vapor recovery assembly 26is moved downwardly and to the left (as viewed in FIG. 1) when the pipe16 is rotated clockwise about the axis 19. This disposes the vaporrecovery assembly 26 adjacent the manhole 33 of the tank 29. The handles58a and 59 are employed by the operator to maintain the vapor recoveryassembly 26 in a substantially vertical position by rotating it aboutthe horizontal axes 27 and 42' as the pipe 16 is rotated about thehorizontal axis 19. This results in the vapor recovery assembly 26 beingsubstantially vertically aligned to enter the manhole 33 of the tank 29.

The fluid cylinder 60, which is preferably an air cylinder, iscontrolled by a fluid system that also controls a fluid cylinder 65. Thefluid cylinder 65 has its piston rod 66 connected through a yoke 67 andan arm 68 to the valve 21, which controls flow of liquid through thepipe 16. Thus, when the piston rod 66 is extended from the cylinder 65,the valve 21 is opened.

The operation of the cylinder 60 is controlled through positioning ahandle 69 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) of a control valve 70 (see FIG. 8), whichis mounted within a housing 71 (see FIGS. 1 and 3.). The housing 71 issupported by the handle 58a so that the housing 71 is fixedly mounted onthe vapor recovery assembly 26. One suitable example of the controlvalve 70 is sold as model 900l-M by Barksdale Valve.

The operation of the cylinder 65, which controls the valve 21, isautomatically controlled in response to signals from a pneumatic eye 72(see FIGS. 4 and 8). One suitable example of the pneumatic eye 72 issold as model No. 14244 by Moore Products Company, Springhouse,Pennsylvania. As shown in FIG. 4, the pneumatic eye 72 is supported on arod 72a, which is carried by the inner surface of the pipe 30 by beingwelded thereto. Thus, the pneumatic eye 72 is disposed within the pipe30.

An inlet port 73 (see FIG. 8) of the control valve 70 is connected to asource 74 of pressurized air by a filter 75, a regulator 76, a linelubricator 77, and a line 78. The control valve 70 also has an exhaustport 79, a port 80, which has line 81 extending therefrom, and a port82, which has a line 83 extending therefrom.

When the handle 69 is in its neutral position, the control valve 70 hasthe ports 73, 79, 80 and 82 blocked as shown in FIG. 8. When the handle69 is moved to cause the cylinder 60 to retract its piston rod 64, thecontrol valve 70 has its upper block of FIG. 8 moved downwardly wherebythe port 73 communicates with the port 80 and the port 82 communicateswith the port 79. In this position, pressurized air flows through theline 81 and past a control valve 84 into the cylinder 60 while air isexhausted from the cylinder 60 through a control valve 85 and the line83.

The control valve 84 includes a check valve 86 and a variable restrictorvalve 87 in parallel with the check valve 86. Similarly, the controlvalve 85 includes a check valve 88 and a variable restrictor valve 89 inparallel with the check valve 88. One suitable example of the valves 87and 89 is a speed control valve sold by Pnoutrol Auto-Ponents.

When the pressurized air is supplied through the line 81, it passesthrough the check valve 86 of the control valve 84 while the airexhausts from the cylinder 60 through the variable restrictor valve 89of the control valve 85 since the check valve 88 prevents flow in thisdirection. By appropriately regulating the flow through the variablerestrictor valve 89, the rate or retraction of the piston rod 64 of thecylinder 60 may be controlled. Thus, the rate at which the vaporrecovery assembly 26 is moved toward the manhole 33 of the tank 29 maybe regulated.

When it is desired to return the vapor reecovery assembly 26 to theposition shown in FIG. 1, the handle 69 of the control valve 70 ispositioned to move the lower block of the control valve 70 of FIG. 8into the intermediate position. As a result, the supply line 78communicates with the line 83 while the exhaust port 79 communicateswith the line 81. Accordingly, pressurized air is supplied through thecheck valve 88 of the control valve 85 to the cylinder 60 to extend thepiston rod 64 from the cylinder 60. The rate at which the piston rod 64is extended from the cylinder 60 is determined by the variablerestrictor valve 87 of the control valve 84 since the check valve 86prevents flow therethrough from the cylinder 60 to the port 80.

Accordingly, the handle 69 of the control valve 70 determines theconnections between the ports 73, 79, 80, and 82 of the control valve70. Thus, the handle 69 regulates whether there is retraction orextension of the piston rod 64 with respect to the cylinder 60.

When air under pressure is supplied through the line 81 due to the upperblock of the control valve 70 being in the central position to providecommunication between the ports 73 and 80, pressurized air also issupplied to a line 90, which connects with the line 81 at a junction 91.The line 90 has a pressure regulator 92 therein to reduce the pressurebefore the air passage through the line 92a to enter a fitting 93, whichcommunicates with a dump valve 94 and a line 95.

As shown in FIG. 6, the valve 94 is mounted in the flange 32 and is openat its bottom end to communicate with the atmosphere unless the collar31 has its flat portion 96 in engagement with the lower surface of theflange 32. When this occurs, the valve 94, which has its 6 open bottomend terminate in the lower surface of the flange 32, is closed. Thus,air cannot escape from the valve 94 when the flat portion 96 of thecollar 31 is engaging the flange 32. This is when a vapor seal existsbetween the tank 29 and the vapor recovery assembly 26.

The line 95 is connected to a fitting 97 (see FIG. 7), whichcommunicates with a dump valve 98 and a line 99. The valve 98 is mountedin the flange 32 of the vapor recovery assembly 26in the same manner asis the valve 94. Thus, the valve 98 has its open bottom end closed whenthe flat portion 96 of the collar 31 bears against the lower surface ofthe flange 32 due to the vapor recovery assembly 26 being in a vaporsealing arrangement with the tank 29.

As schematically disclosed in FIG. 8, the valves 94 and 98 are shown inan open position. This occurs when the flat portion 96 of the collar 3 lis not engaging against the lower surface of the flange 32.

As shown in FIG. 5, the fittings 93 and 97 for the valves 94 and 98 aresubstantially diametrically disposed to each other. Thus, this requiresa good vapor seal between the collar 31 and the flange 32 before both ofthe valves 94 and 98 can be blocked or closed. This arrangemennt insuresthat a vapor seal exists between the vapor recovery-assembly 26 and thetank 29 before both of the valves 94 and 98 are closed.

The line 99 connects through a fitting 100 (see FIG. 7) on the flange 32to a line 101, which is connected to the pneumatic eye 72. Thus, whenthe valves 94 and 98 are closed, the pressurized air from the line 90 issupplied through the regulator 92 and the line 92a to the line 101.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pneumatic eye 72 has a gap 102 formed thereinand across which the air from the line 101 is directed toward a venturi103 (see FIG. 8) in the pneumatic eye 72. The pipe 30 has openings orwindows 104 (see FIG. 4) formed therein for access to the pneumatic eyeand for vapor removal so the tank may be completely filled. The liquidin the tank 29 enters the pipe 30 through its open terminal end andthrough openings 104. When the level of the liquid in the tank 29exceeds the level of the bottom of the gap 102, the flow of the airfrom'the'line 101 to the venturi 103 is obstructed. As a result, theventuri 103 will not receive sufficient air from the line 101 when thelevel of the liquid in the tank 29 obstructs the flow of the air throughthe gap 102.

As shown in FIG. 8, the venturi 103 communicates with a pilot controlvalve 105th'rough a line 106. The line 106 communicates with a diaphragm107 of the pilot control valve 105. One suitable example of the pilotcontrol valve 105 is a fluidic interface valve, which is sold as modelXF32023 by Automatic Switch Company.

The pilot control valve 105 has an inlet port 108, which is connected bya line 109 to the line 90. Thus, the air within the line 90 iscommunicated through the port 108 by the line 109. Accordingly,pressurized air is supplied to the port 108 of the pilot control valve105 when the line 90 has pressurized air therein.

The pilot control valve 105 has a port 110 communi- I eating with a line111, which connects with a port 1 12 of a quick exhaust valve 113. Onesuitable example of the quick exhaust valve 113 is a valve sold as modelNo. l by Mead.

The quick exhaust valve 113 controls the flow of fluid to the cylinder65, which regulates the position of 7 the valve 21 in the line 16. It isnecessary for pressurized air to be supplied through the port 112 of thequick exhaust valve 1 13 and a port 114 of the valve 113 to move thepiston rod 66 and cause opening of the valve 21 whereby the gasoline maybe supplied to the tank 29 from the storage tank 10.

When there is no air flow through the venturi 103, the control member ofthe control valve 105 is positioned so that the port 110 communicateswith an exhaust port 1 of the pilot control valve 105 while the port 108is blocked. Thus, there can be no actuation of the yclinder 65 unlessthere is fluid flow through the venturi 103 of the pneumatic eye 72.

As previously mentioned, it is necessary for the control valve 70 to beproperly positioned by the handle 69 so that there is pressurized air inthe line 81 in order for there to be air pressure in the line 90.However, even if there is pressurized air within the line 90, the pilotcontrol valve 105 is not actuated unless the valves 94 and 98 areclosed. This occurs only when the vapor recovery assembly 26 is vaporsealed to the tank 29. This insures that there can be no actuation ofthe valve 21 to allow supply of gasoline to the tank 29 until a vaporseal exists between the tank 29 and the vapor assembly 26.

When the vapor seal exists between the vapor recovery assembly 26 andthe tank 29, the air from the line 101 flows through the gap 102 intothe venturi 103 provided that the gap 102 is not blocked by the level ofthe liquid in the tank 29. Thus, this insures that there can be nosupply of the liquid to the tank 29 when the tank 29 is filled to apredetermined level.

However, if the tank 29 is not filled to the level at which the gap 102is blocked, the flow of the air through the line 101 into the venturi103 results in the pilot control valve 105 being actuated so that thelower block of the pilot control valve 105 of FIG. 8 moves up wardlywhereby the part 108 communicates with the port 110 while the exhaustport 115 is blocked. When this occurs, pressurized air flows from theline 109 to the line 11 1. This results in the quick exhaust valve 113being positioned as shown in FIG. 8 so that air flows directly from theport 112 to the port 114 to extend the piston rod 66 from the cylinder65 to open the valve 21.

When flow through the venturi 103 ceases for any reason, the pilotcontrol valve 105 returns to the position in which the port 110communicates with the exhaust port 1 15 and the port 108 is blocked. Asa result, the quick exhaust valve 113 has its right block of FIG. 8moved to the left so that the port 114 communicates with an exhaust port1 16 of the quick exhaust valve 1 13 and the port 112 is blocked. Thisarrangement of moving the control member of the quick exhaust valve 113so that the port 114 communicates with the exhaust port 116 permitsquick exhaust of the air from within the cylinder 65. The force of thespring, which acts on the valve 21, aids in removing the air from thecylinder 65. Thus, the valve 21 is rapidly closed whenever the pilotcontrol valve 105 is inactivated due to air not flowing through theventuri 103.

Air flow through the venturi 103 is stopped whenever the flat portion 96of the collar 31 ceases to engage the bottom surface of the flange 32.This results in one or both of the valves 94 and 98 communicating withthe atmosphere so that the pressurized air or fluid from the regulator92 is vented through the valves 94 and 98 and not supplied to the gap102 of the pneumatic eye 72. The vapor seal between the collar 31 andthe flange 32 8 is broken whenever the pressure within the tank 29 issufficient to lift the vapor recovery assembly 26 partially out of themanhole 33. As a result, the flat portion 96 ceases to engage the lowersurface of the flange 32.

The flow of pressurized air through the venturi 103 also ceases wheneverthe handle 69 of the control valve is manually actuated to move thecontrol member of the control valve 70 from the position in which theports 73 and communicate with each other. When this occurs, there is nolonger any pressurized air supplied through the line 90.

Likewise, when the level of the liquid within the tank 29 reaches theheight at which it blockes the gap 102, the pilot control valve ispositioned to stop supply of air to the cylinder 65. Thus, this alsocloses the valve 21. Therefore, the valve 21 stops flow of liquid to thetank 29 whenever a predetermined pressure or a predetermined levelexists within the tank 29. Furthermore, the valve 21 cannot be openeduntil a vapor seal exists between the vapor recovery assembly 26 and thetank 29.

Since any pressure build-up within the tank 29 would be sensed by theventuri 103 because of the communication of the venturi 103 with thetank 29, it is necessary to compensate for this build-up of pressurewithin the tank 29. Accordingly, a line 117 (see FIG. 7) is disposedwithin the pipe 30 and has its lower and communicating with the tank 29so as to be exposed to the pressure within the tank 29. The line 117passes through the flange 32 (see FIG. 7) and then to the opposite sideof the diaphragm 107 from that connected to the line 106.

In the schematic of FIG. 8, the line 117 is shown fed into the oppositeside of the pilot control valve 105 from the diaphragm 107. However, itactually is supplied to the opposite side of the diaphragm 107 tobalance the pressure, which is sensed in the venturi 103 due to thepressure build-up within the tank 29. Accordingly, the build-up ofpressure within the tank 29 has no effect on the operation of the pilotcontrol valve 105 due to the line 117.

It should be understood that the pilot operated valve 105, the regulator92, the filter 75, the regulator 76, and the line lubricator 77 aredisposed within the control housing 62. With the pneumatic eye 72disposed within the vapor recovery assembly 26 and the control valve 70disposed within the housing 71, it is necessary for the lines 78, 81,83, 92a, 106, and 117 to extend from the control housing 62 to thehousing 71 and for the lines 92a, 106 and 117 to extend from the housing71 to the vapor recovery assembly 26.

Accordingly, the lines 78, 81, 83, 92a, 106, and l 17 are mounted withina flexible tubular member 1 18, which extends from the upper end of thecontrol housing 62. The flexible tubular member 118 passes through thetee 46 into the pipe 45. A hollow cylindrical member 119 surrounds thetubular member 118 within the pipe 45 to seal the flexible tubularmember 118 from the vapor flowing through the pipe 45.

The flexible tubular member 118 exits from the tee 44 and is supportedby the handle 59 through which it passes. The flexible tubular member118 then enters the housing 71 and terminates therein.

The lines 106 and 101, which are connected to the pnuematic eye 72, andthe line 92a, which is connected to the associated valves 94 and 98,extend separately from the housing 71. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, theline 92a connects with the fitting 93, which connects directly to thevalve 94 and through the line 95* and the fitting 97 to the valve 98.The line 117 extends through a fitting 120 (see FIGS. and 7) and thenthrough the flange 32 of the vapor recovery assembly v26 as shown inFIG. 6. The line 106 extends through a fitting 106a (see FIGS. 5 and 6)and then through the flange-32 for, communication with the venturi 103in the pneumatic eye72.

Considering the operation of the present invention, the tank 29 of amovable vehicle such as a truck will be disposed adjacent the vaporrecovery assembly 26 of the loading system of the present invention.Then, the handles 58a and 59 will be grasped to causerotation of theapparatus about the vertical axis of the pipe56.

When the vapor recovery assembly 26 is disposed near the manhole 33 inthe tank 29, the handle 69 0f the control valve 70 is actuated to supplyair from the line 70 through the line 81 to retract the piston rod 64into the cylinder 60. This causes clockwise pivoting of the pipe 16about the horizontal axis 19.

As the pipe 16 pivots clockwise, it is necessary to maintain the vaporrecovery assembly 26 in a substantially vertical position. This isaccomplished by manipulation of the handles 58a and 59 to cause pivotingof the vapor recovery assembly 26 about the horizontal axis 27.

When the vapor recovery assembly 26 enters the manhole 33, the downwardmovement of the vapor recovery assembly 26 results in the collar 31engaging the manhole 33 of the tank 29. When this occurs, the continueddownward movement of the vapor recovery as ducted to a condenser, forexample, where it is converted to liquid and returned to the storagetank 10.

The amount of fluid supplied to the tank 29 from the main storage tank10 may be controlled by a meter. However, if the meter should notfunction accurately or if there should have been liquid in the tank 29that was not accounted for, the tank 29 may fill before the meter stopsthe flow of the liquid from the main storage tank .10. When this occurs,the gap 102 is blocked by the liquid flowing into the pipe 30. As aresult, the pilot control valve 105 is moved to disconnect the ports 108and 110 from each other whereby the flow of pressurized airto thecylinder 65 is stopped so that the valve 21 automatically and rapidlyreturns to its closed position to stop the flow of gasoline through thepipe 16.

If the pressure within the tank 29 should become excessive duringfilling, the vapor recovery assembly 26 would be lifted. As a result,the seal between the flat portion 96 of the collar 31 and the lowersurface of the flange 32' would cease to exist. This would open thevalves 94 and 98 to stop the flow of air through the venturi 103.-Thiswould cause the pilot operated valve 105 sembly 26 causes the lowersurface of the flange 32 to engage the flat portion 96 of the collar 31to form a vapor seal between the collar 31 and the manhole 33 of thetank 29. Until there is sufficient down pressure on the collar 31,exerted due to pressurization of the cylinder 60 through the line 81,the flat portion 96 does not seal or close the ports of the dump valves94 and 98 in the flange 32. 1

Accordingly, until there is a vapor seal between the manhole 33 of thetank 29 and the collar 31 'of the vapor recovery assembly 26, the valves94 and 98 have their ports open. As a result, the pilot control valve105 is not receiving any signal from the pneumatic eye 72 because no airis flowing through the venturi 103. Thus, there can be no actuation ofthe cylinder 65 to open the valve 21 at this time.

However, as soon as a vapor seal exists between the vapor recoveryassembly 26 and the tank 29, the valves 94 and 98 have their portsclosed by the flat portion 96 of the collar 31. This results in thepressurized air in the line 90 being supplied through the line 101 toflow through the gap 102 into the venturi 103 as seen in FIG. 8. As aresult, as soon as the vapor seal exists between the vapor recoveryassembly 26 and the tank 29, the pilot control valve 105 is positionedto connect the line 109 with the line 1 11 whereby the piston rod 66 isextended from the cylinder 65 to open the valve 21 in the pipe 16 toallow liquid to be supplied to the tank 29. With the vapor seal formedbetween the tank 29 and the vapor recovery assembly 26, the vapor withinthe tank 29 escapes through the pipe 30. Whenever the pressure of thevapor exceeds a predetermined value, which is preferably one p.s.i., thecheck valve 37 opens to allow the vapor to pass through the pipe 41, theswivel 42, the pipe 43, the tee 44, the pipe 45, the tee 46, the hose47, the swivel 48, and the pipes 49, 54, and 56 to the pipe 58. From thepipe 58, the vapor is conto be positioned as shown in FIG. 8 to stop theflow of pressurized air to-the cylinder 65. This would result in thevalve 21 again closing due to its spring.

When the filling of the tank 29 has been completed by the meter stoppingflow of the liquid from the storage tank 10, theoperator positions thehandle 69 of the control valve 70 so that the lower block of FIG. 8 ofthe control valve 70 is moved upwardly to connect the inlet port 73 withthe port 82 and the port with the exhaust port 79. This automaticallyremoves the pressurized air from the line and. causes immediate closingof the valve 21. After the valve 21 closes this results in the pistonrod 64 being extended from the cylinder 60 to return the pipe 16 to itsuppermost position by rotating the pipe 16 counterclockwise about thehorizontal axis 19.

This sequence of operation is due to the combined action of the quickexhaust valve 113 and the control valve 84. Thus, it is seen that thevalve 21 closes before the assembly 26 moves upward out of communicaionwith the opening 33 of the tank 29.

After the pipe 16 has been returned to its original rest position, theoperator positions the handle 69 of the control valve 70 so that theinlet port 73, the exhaust port 79, and the ports 80 and 81 are allblocked in the manner shown in FIG. 8. Thus, no fluid is supplied toeither the cylinder 60 or the cylinder 65. If an emergency shutdown ofthe system should be required, it is only necessary for the operator tomove the handle 69 of the valve 70 to the position in which the lowerblock of the valve 70 in FIG. 8 is disposed in the central portion. Thisresults in communication of the inlet port 73 with the port 82 and theport 80 with the exhaust port 79. This automatically closes the valve 21since there is no air pressure in the line 90. It also then causesremoval of the vapor recovery assembly 26 from the manhole 33 of thetank 29.

While the present invention has been described as supplying gasoline toa tank, it should be understood that it may be utilized for the controlof any liquid. While the present invention has utilized a pneumaticsystem, it should be understood that other types of systems both fluidand electrical may be employed as long as its is compatible with theliquid being supplied.

An advantage of this invention is that it automatic ally starts liquidflow only when there is a vapor tight con- 1 1 nection with thecontainer or tank being loaded. Another advantage of this invention isthat it automatically stops flow when a vapor tight connection ceases toexist between the tank and the supply line. A further advantage of thisinvention is that it prevents escape of 5 a liquid from either a tank,which is being loaded, or a source from which the liquid is beingsupplied. Still another advantage of this invention is that itautomatically shuts off the supply of liquid if the tank pressureexceeds a predetermined value. A still further advantage of thisinvention is that it automatically stops flows of the liquid when thetank is filled. Yet another advantage of this invention is that itautomatically closes the vapor receiving line when the device is removedfrom the tank being filled. A yet further advantage of this invention isthat there is no spillage of the liquid being supplied to the tank.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of theinvention has been shown and described according to the best presentunderstanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes andmodifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereofmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

l. A fluiid handling system including a conduit for conducting a fluidtherethrough to a container or the like, conduit valve means in saidconduit to regulate flow therethrough, said valve means being normallybiased closed, support means, means pivotally connecting said conduit tosaid support means, a conduit pivoting cylinder connected with saidconduit to pivotsaid conduit about said pivotal connecting means to movesaid conduit into and out of communication with the container, meansurging said conduit valve means to a closed position, cylinder means tomove said conduit valve means to an open position, single control meansto simultaneously produce actuation of said pivoting cylinder and saidmoving cylinder, and fluid flow circuit means connected with saidcylinder means and said pivoting cylinder and said single control means,said circuit means being responsive to said single control means,pressurized fluid flow sensing means in said circuit means, said sensingmeans being operatively connected with said pivoting cylinder whereinpressurized fluid is supplied to said pivoting cylinder when fluid flowis sensed by said sensing means, said sensing means insuring that saidconduit valve means is closed 12 by said urging means before saidpivoting cylinder moves said conduit out of communication with thecontainer.

2. The system according to claim 1 in which said pivoting cylinderincludes a fluid acutated piston therein, said piston being pivotallyconnected with said conduit, said moving cylinder includes a fluidactuated piston therein, said moving cylinder piston being operativelyconnected with said conduit valve means, said circuit means including afluid flow system in which fluid from a single pressurized fluid sourceis operatively connected to both of said cylinders, a controlling valvemeans, said single control means being operatively connected with saidcontrolling valve means for controlling the flow of pressurized fluidfrom said source to each of said cylinders, said controlling valve meansbeing responsive to said single control means, said controlling valvemeans having a no-flow through position and having a first flow positionwherein pressurized fluid is directed to one end of said pivotingcylinder whereby said piston is urged to the opposite end of saidcylinder thereby causing a pivoting in a first direction of saidconduit, said valve first flow position permitting fluid to be directedto said moving cylinder and means responsive to said sensing means torelease the pressure from said source to said moving cylinder when saidcontrolling valve means of said single control means is moved to asecond position to change the direction of fluid supply to said pivotingcylinder such that fluid is directed to the opposite end of saidpivoting cylinder thereby terminating flow to said sensing means suchthat said moving cylinder is vented to atmosphere whereby said urgingmeans returns said conduit valve means in said conduit to its closedposition before pivoting in a second direction of said conduit occurs.

3. The system according to claim 1 including a check valve and variablerestriction in parallel with said check valve in said circuit meansbetween said controlling valve means and each end of said pivotingcylinder, said variable restriction retarding the flow of fluid fromsaid cylinder of said pivoting means when the direction of supply offluid to said cylinder of said pivoting means is changed by movement ofsaid controlling valve means from one to the other of said first andsecond positions thereby controlling the rate of movement of said pivotcylinder piston.

1. A fluiid handling system including a conduit for conducting a fluidtherethrough to a container or the like, conduit valve means in saidconduit to regulate flow therethrough, said valve means being normallybiased closed, support means, means pivotally connecting said conduit tosaid support means, a conduit pivoting cylinder connected with saidconduit to pivot said conduit about said pivotal connecting means tomove said conduit into and out of communication with the container,means urging said conduit valve means to a closed position, cylindermeans to move said conduit valve means to an open position, singlecontrol means to simultaneously produce actuation of said pivotingcylinder and said moving cylinder, and fluid flow circuit meansconnected with said cylinder means and said pivoting cylinder and saidsingle control means, said circuit means being responsive to said singlecontrol means, pressurized fluid flow sensing means in said circuitmeans, said sensing means being operatively connected with said pivotingcylinder wherein pressurized fluid is supplied to said pivoting cylinderwhen fluid flow is sensed by said sensing means, said sensing meansinsuring that said conduit valve means is closed by said urging meansbefore said pivoting cylinder moves said conduit out of communicationwith the container.
 2. The system according to claim 1 in which saidpivoting cylinder includes a fluid acutated piston therein, said pistonbeing pivotally connected with said conduit, said moving cylinderincludes a fluid actuated piston therein, said moving cylinder pistonbeing operatively connected with said conduit valve means, said circuitmeans including a fluid flow system in which fluid from a singlepressurized fluid source is operatively connected to both of saidcylinders, a controlling valve means, said single control means beingoperatively connected with said controlling valve means for controllingthe flow of pressurized fluid from said source to each of saidcylinders, said controlling valve means being responsive to said singlecontrol means, said controlling valve means having a no-flow throughposition and having a first flow position wherein pressuriZed fluid isdirected to one end of said pivoting cylinder whereby said piston isurged to the opposite end of said cylinder thereby causing a pivoting ina first direction of said conduit, said valve first flow positionpermitting fluid to be directed to said moving cylinder and meansresponsive to said sensing means to release the pressure from saidsource to said moving cylinder when said controlling valve means of saidsingle control means is moved to a second position to change thedirection of fluid supply to said pivoting cylinder such that fluid isdirected to the opposite end of said pivoting cylinder therebyterminating flow to said sensing means such that said moving cylinder isvented to atmosphere whereby said urging means returns said conduitvalve means in said conduit to its closed position before pivoting in asecond direction of said conduit occurs.
 3. The system according toclaim 1 including a check valve and variable restriction in parallelwith said check valve in said circuit means between said controllingvalve means and each end of said pivoting cylinder, said variablerestriction retarding the flow of fluid from said cylinder of saidpivoting means when the direction of supply of fluid to said cylinder ofsaid pivoting means is changed by movement of said controlling valvemeans from one to the other of said first and second positions therebycontrolling the rate of movement of said pivot cylinder piston.